Electric attachment plug



J. G. PETERSON ELECTRIC ATTACHMENT PLUG Filed June 18, 1928 JbHA N G. RSON ATT/QNEK Patented Aug. 8, loss Y 1,921,095

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE 1,921,096 ELECTRIC ATTACHMENT PLUG Johann G. Peterson, West Hartford, Conn. Application June 18, 1928. Serial No. 286,313 6 Claims. (01. 173-343) y invention relates to electric attachment In my improved construction, it will be noted P that the base 1 is provided with a flat upper end It has for its object to provide an improved 9 on its periphery and at its axis is provided with attachment p s h i Objec o my v na short extension 10 between the apertures o is to v d such an impr v d plus w in, 2. This extension 1c is preferably disposed sub- 60 While an effective and safe construction is p stantially in the same transverse zone as the conduced, the parts are SO S mplifie a d a a tacts 3 and 4t. Herein the same is shown as slight- ES to enable the p t b ma d at small 1y wider than the latter and having several sides. QXDBIISE- A u the Object f my invention i to Although a smaller or a larger number of sides provide an improved and rigid arrangement and may be provided on this extension if desired, it 5 construction or" parts whereby the base, shell, inpreferably h four sides, as this produces an Sill-ailing di c, a Contacts a disposed in and ceedingly simple and satisfactory construction, p t n a mp mailner- A Still fllras will hereinafter appear. Herein it will also thel" object of my invention is to provide an 1111- be noted that the shell 5 is provided with a plane p v d plug having improved a d Simplified top 11 and with a single enlarged rectangular means for, preventing relative rotation of the opening 12 therein, herein forming a combined in- D e p u a y, a improved axial terlocking and contact opening and of sufficient interlock 50 disposed a d p a n Wit the width to fit opposite sides or" the extension 10 and other p rt of the m chani m as n ly to int rinterlock therewith to prevent relative rotation of go look the p r p it vely, t to enable a ri the shell and base, and of sufiicient length to construction to be produced having all the vital expose one of the openings 2 and provide a clearp t of t mechanism compactly disposed in ance around one edge thereof while only exposing an improved and efiective manner in the relaa rt f the aperture 2 on the opposite side of v y n rr w n noline ansv y, i. e. the extension 10. Moreover, it will be noted that 25 Vertically, across h p u thr u h ts ax and not only is an axial interlock provided, in the so in which the longitudinal contact apertures in t ans r e zone of the contact apertures 2 and the base are disposed on opposite sides of said between the latter, but that all of the edges of the axis. These and other objects and advantages aperture 12 are supported on the body around t e of y i vent on w l howev r, h e na more axis of the latter substantially in said transverse '30 fully p zone, herein both along the elongated sides of the In the mpa yin dr win I h ve sh wn, aperture and at the opposite ends thereof. It will p p s Of il us at o t forms Which y also be noted that the body or base has portions n i n m y as m in pr which inclose the upper ends or the apertures 2 In the w at the same time that they provide effective sup- 35 Figure l i a plan view of a plug constructed porting means for the portions of the shell in the in accordance with one form of my improve t; transverse zone of the apertures 2 and between Fi 2 is a v rtical sectional view n line -2 the latter and the periphery of the shell, while the base herein al o supports the entire periphery Fig. 3 is a similar view with the end or center of the shell. Thus, it will be noted that both a 40 QOIltaCt, oooperating contact, and disc removed base 1 and shell 5 of exceedingly simple and mand ShOWillg the parts below the disc, and expensive structure are provided which coope a Fig. 4 is a plan view with the center contact to produce an exceedingly meld Structure Wen removed, owin t e parts below the same. adapted to resist longitudinal or other pressures In the illustrative construction of Figs. 1 to 4, without crushing. It will also be noted that as- 45 I have shown an insulating base 1 having usual. seinbly is facilitated, as the shell 5 may be p fl parallel contact apertures 2 in which are disin a plurality of positions (in the t m posed contact members 3 and i of substantially the position shown in Fig. 3 or in a pos1t1on Whereequal width with the apertures and respectively in the shell is turned at 180 relative to t e p connected to a threaded conducting shell 5 and. Further, it will be noted that in either of these '50 a raised hollow central end contact member 6, positions, due to the cooperation of the extenslon the latter being insulated from th shell parts '10 and opening the shell and base are locked by a flat insulating disc 7, and suitab y attached against relative rotation. More particularly, it to the base by axial means, herein in the formv will'be noted that the elongated edges of the ope of an axial rivet 8 embedded the base. 1 and ring '12 in the shell each extend to opposite s des 55 holding all the parts together. i i V v of theaxls of the latter in substantial parallelism,

Willie the interlockin portion 10 of the base is so located between the same as to provide axial interlocking means of a most eiiective character regardless of the direction of the t isting movement oi oi nor the base or shell.

Through the portion of the opening 12 which extends only part way over the aperture 2, the shell contact 3 is extended, the same herein having a lateral extension 13 thereon adapted to engage the cute surface of the plane top of the shell and laterally spaced from the axial interlock in the transverse zone of th apertures 2 and axial connecting means 8, while disposed in that zone transversely of the shell and extending toward the periphery of the latter. Preferably,

the contact 3 also has a laterally bent portion 1 intermediate its ends enabling the contact not only to have the desired resiliency and engage walls of the aperture 2, but to be snapped down into position through the top of the shell and located and held properly in its aperture 2.'

Moreover, it will be noted that the insulating disc 7 overlies this lateral extension 1. Herein, tic disc also has a rectangular aperture 15 therein adapted to fit the extension 1o on the base 1 and thus interlock the disc and base against relative rotation. [is shown, the disc '7 also has a shorter 510K, 16 at one end of this aperture 15, of the width of the contact a and adapted to permit the passage of that contact so that a lateral extension 17 thereon, also perforated to permit passage of the rivet 3, mayoverlie the disc, as shown in Fig. 2. 10 may be varied slightly, but preferably the thickness of the disc '7 the height of the extension l()- are such that when the disc '7 is in position, the outer surface of the extension 10 isnot higher than the outer surface of the disc 7. Thus, when the contact at is inserted from the top of the disc into the aperture 2 through the slot 16 in disc and through one end of the aperture 12 in the shell, the usual lateral extension 1? on the contact is enabled to extend across the axis or" the base. It will also be noted that it rests fiat on the outer surface or" the disc '7 in such position that when the raised hollow central contact 6 is riveted to the outer end of the rivet 8, an effective support is provided for both the contacts a and 6 and effective contact made with the flange of the contact 6 at opposite sides of the base of the latter.

As a result of this improved construction, it will be noted that it is made possible to provide a plug or" standard type with an axial interlock heretofore only provided in plugs having long high necks and a weak skeleton type of shell and base construction unadapted to withstand longitudinal pressure or twisting, or a construction incapable of use with a standard type of plug wherein a lateral extension on one contact overlies the disc and supports the raised end contact. Moreover, it will also noted that while obtaining the above advantages, an exceedingly simple and inexpensive interlock is provided between the shell and base and one wlerein the abutting parts engage one another to such an extent and along such elongated, herein parallel, paths on opposite sides of the axis, as to produce a most cii'ective interlock. Attention is moreover directed to the location of the structure on the base in the same general transverse zone as the contacts between the contact apertures, to the rigid construction provided and. heretofore described, and to the fact that my improvement is also especially adapted to use withplugs having axial If desired, the height or" the extension substantially the amount of material required in the base and thereby permit the use of bases of more expensive material such as bakelite or the like. Hera-however, it will be noted that, while I show a structure adapted to be used with a base having such cut away or slabbed off sides, I do not claim a base having such cut away or slabbed sides. It will further be noted that even with the sides thus cut away, and while using a form of skeleton type structure inside the shell, it isstill possible to provide a strong and rugged plug structure since the shell is supported in a very efiective manner "by supports in the zone in question including peripherally located supports at the ends of the zone and also supports surrounding the axis and between the peripheral supports. It is also possible to obtain the advantages of onclosing within insulating walls or chambers, the portions of the contacts which are inside the shell. Thus, it is made possible to produce a markedly more strong and safe construction as compared with a crushable construction having the isolated upstanding central post previously used in such bakelite plugs and wherein the shell is supported on a narrow ledge at only one side' or this post,-and the portions of the contacts inside the shell-have no insulation between the same and the shell to prevent contact following twisting off or crushing.

l Attention isfurther directed to'the fact thatas aresult of my improvedconstruction, it is also possible to eliminate all need for special and additional axial stiffening means within the end contact and in addition to the rivet or'other axial connecting means, such as have been pro vided in such single post constructions in an at tempt to prevent crushing. It will further be observed'thatmy improved construction-makes it possible-to eliminate any need for extra axial contact connections with the lateral-extension on" the contact extending through the insulating disc and lying on the outer surface of the same, such as have heretofore been used in such single post constructions. My improved construction also makes it possible for the base of the end contact to engage directly with this lateral extension on opposite sides of the axial connecting 'means, while also enabling the end contact to be riveted tothe base insuch manner as to clampthis-lateral extension against the insulating discin a normal and effective manner without danger of crushing.

The insulating discand base are also herein effectually interlocked due to the interlocking of extension 10 with the disc, The contacts 3 and i, are also held sceurelyinposition against rotation due to this interlocking of both the disc and shell with the base, and the fact that each contact extends through one interlocked member while the lateral extension on the contact 3- is clamped between two interlocked members. Thus, the only part which can by any'chance revolve is the raised contactfi, and'evcn should this work free for rotation relative to its rivet, it will be evident that the flange on its face-will its always be in contact with the lateral extension 17 of the contact 4. The rivet also is shortened as compared with those heretofore used in previous constructions, by an amount equal to the combined thickness of the disc and the top of the shell, thereby enabling a reduction in the cost of the, rivet. Through my improved construction, the shell, while strong, is also simplified and cheapened, the opening therein being readily and cheaply formed, while all need for other shell apertures and rotation preventing means and interlocks between the shell and base and the shell and contacts is eliminated. It will also be noted that the interlocking means on the base is readily and cheaply formed and that the same is not subject to breakage. These and other advantages will, however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

If desired, I may slightly shorten the lateral extension 17 in such manner that its free end, while extending beyond the perforation, does not underlie the flange on the end contact. Such a construction further cheapens manufacture and further provides an equal thickness of metal and insulation on opposite sides of the extension on the base, and is especially adapted to use when, as preferably, the disc is formed of fiber or other insulating material having some give, since it enables the parts to be more closely clamped together.

While I have in this application specifically described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be further modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In an attachment plug, the combination with a plug body having spaced longitudinal contact apertures on diametrically opposite sides or" its axis, shell interlocking means on one end of said body substantially axially located and on diametrically opposite sides of. said axis between said apertures and disposed therewith in a zone materially narrower than said body and passing vertically through said axis, and shell supporting means in said zone at the same end of said body disposed substantially around said shell interlocking means and axis, of a shell provided with contact aperture means substantially in said zone and also having in said zone both means interlocked with said interlocking means and means disposed substantially around the latter and supported on said supporting means, an apertured insulating disc outside said shell, connecting means having a connecting member out of contact with said shell and disposed coaxially therewith in said body, an end contact member outside said disc and positioned by said connecting means, and contact members extending into said contact apertures having portions in said zone independent of said interlockin means and on opposite sides of said disc insulated from one another and electrically connected respectively to said shell and end contact member.

2. In an attachment plug, a plug body having one end adapted to be received in the lower open end of a shell, longitudinal contact apertures in said body on diametrically opposite sides of its axis disposed in a zone materially narrower than said body and extending vertically through said axis, shell interlocking means on one end of said body substantially axially located and on diametith said interlocking means and means disposed around the latter supported on said end and side supports, connecting means having a connecting member out of contact with said shell and disposed coaxially therewith in said body, an apertured insulating disc outside said shell, an end contact outside said disc and positioned by said connecting means, and contact members extending into said contact apertures and having portions in said zone independent of said interlocking means and on opposite sides of said disc insulated from one another and electrically connected respectively to said shell and end contact.

3. In an attachment plug, the combination with a plug body provided with spaced longitudinal contact apertures on diametrically opposite sides T of its axis, contact enclosing portions forming extensions of said apertures disposed at the inner end of said body and extending substantially throughout the length of the contacts, shell interlocking means on the same end of said body and a on diametrically opposite sides of said axis located between said portions and. disposed therewith in a zone materially narrower than said body, of a shell having contact member aperture means subextending across said zone and supported on said enclosing portions, and also means between said supporting portions and substantially in said zone stantially in said zone, spaced supporting portions interlocked with said shell interlocking means,

an apertured insulating disc outside said shell, connecting means having an axial connecting member out of contact with said shell and seated in said body between said contact apertures, an end contact member outside said disc and positioned by said connecting means, and contact members extending into said contact apertures and insulated from one another having portions in said zone independent of said interlocking means and on opposite sides of said disc and electrically connected respectively to said shell and end contact member.

4. In an attachment plug, the combination with a plug body having spaced longitudinal contact apertures therein on diametrically opposite sides of its axis, a shell interlocking and supporting portion on one end of said body disposed with said apertures in a zone materially narrower than said body and extending vertically through said axis and having shell interlocking means on diametrically opposite sides of said axis and extending along said zone and shell supporting means at opposite ends of said interlocking means extending across said zone, of a shell substantially imperforate outside said zone and having aperture means in said zone including an opening substantially conforming to and disposed lengthwise of said portion and having its opposite side edges engaging with said portion between the ends thereof and its opposite ends supported on the ends of said portion, an apertured insulating disc outside said shell, connecting means having a connecting member out of contact with said shell and disposed axially in said body, an end contact member outside said disc and positioned by said connecting means, and contact membersextending into-said contact aperturesand having portions in said zone independent of said interlocking'means and on opposite sides of said disc insulated from one another and"electrically' connected respectively to said shell and'end contact member.

interlocking means substantially axially located on opposite sides of said axis and extending beyond the same in two directions between the ends of said portion and shell supporting means at the opposite ends of the latter, of a shell having contact aperture means disposed substantially in said zone, means substantially in said Zone interlocking with said axially located means, and means 7 i in said zone supported on said supporting means at the opposite ends of said axially located means, an apertured insulating disc outside said shell, connecting means having a connecting member out'of contact with said shell'and disposed coaxially therewith in said body, an end contact outside said disc and positioned by said connecting means, and contactsextending into said contact apertures having portions in-said zone independent of said interlocking means and on opposite sides of said disc insulated from one another and electrically connected respectively to saidshell and end contact member.

6. In an attachment plug, the combination with a plug body having spaced longitudinal contact apertures therein, shell interlocking means between said apertures comprising an axial projection projecting upward on one end of said body and having interlocking portions on diametrically opposite sides of said axis, and shell supporting portions on the same end of said body at opposite ends and opposite sides of said projection and below the top of the latter, of a shell seated on said body, having portions disposed around said projection, supported on said shell supporting portions and also having contact aperture means and spaced interlocking means engageable with said interlocking portions, an apertured insulating disc outside said shell having an aperture therein interlocked with said axial projection on the plug body, an axially disposed end contact member outside said disc, connecting means connecting said end contact member to said body, and contact members extending into said contact apertures in the body and having portions of the same independent of said interlocking means and on opposite sides of said disc insulated from one another and electrically connected respectively to said disc and end contact member.

JOHANN G. PETERSON. 

